Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every weeknight!
Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Remember last week, when Sean O’Malley complained that UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby was “treating him like s—t?” Their little beef originated when “Suga” said he didn’t want to compete in New York City on November 6th, but no opponent was mentioned.
We may now have some insight.
Ariel Helwani reports that UFC would like to book O’Malley vs. former Lightweight strap-hanger Frankie Edgar, possibly for the aforementioned Madison Square Garden date above. While O’Malley’s recent comments seem to indicate that event is out of the question, a different weekend in 2021 seems more likely.
Last month, Edgar revealed that a match up vs. O’Malley appealed to him. “The Answer” is 1-1 since dropping to Bantamweight, winning a highly competitive battle vs. Pedro Munhoz before getting sparked by Cory Sandhagen last time out. O’Malley, meanwhile, is 2-0 in 2021, and both victories were dominant stoppage wins.
There are two clear-cut outcomes here: O’Malley’s rise continues after sparking a former champion, and the win likely earns him a Top 10 ranking. Alternatively, Edgar has spoiled the rise of more than one would-be contender, and the wrestler should not be written off just yet.
Insomnia
Georges St. Pierre shows off one very effective way to open up turtle and chop in hooks.
Tai Tuivasa is feeling a bit self-conscious.
A somewhat strange release from UFC, as Kai Kamaka has shown some talent in generally exciting fights.
UFC has parted ways with featherweight Kai Kamaka III, multiple sources told myself and @MikeHeck_JR. Kamaka went 1-2-1 in the UFC, including controversial results vs. TJ Brown (split decision loss) and Danny Chavez (majority draw) in 2021. Story coming to @MMAFighting.
— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) August 12, 2021
Tito Ortiz crossing over to the boxing ring vs. Anderson Silva is bringing up bad memories and cringey clips.
THROWBACK: Tito Ortiz ducks a boxing match with Dana White after challenging him and then no showing the weigh in
Both sides had signed a contract to fight each other in a 3 rounder: pic.twitter.com/Gc3DZdax5V
— Out Of Context MMA (@oocmma) August 11, 2021
MMA Twitter is having fun with the new “My Fall plans vs. Delta variant” meme format.
my fall plans // the delta variant pic.twitter.com/yaYlLinwQF
— FreelanceGoon (@FreelanceGoon) August 11, 2021
My fall plans // The Delta Variant pic.twitter.com/QGA0TrF5ni
— MS (@UFC_Obsessed) August 12, 2021
If I were able to scrounge up any details at all about this timeline or could definitively prove it is indeed Dustin Poirier and Joshua Fabia, it would be the headline.
Poirier really got coached by Joshua Fabia before his second Conor @TheNotoriousMMA fight pic.twitter.com/tdVVGMUmHW
— Keith Peterson (@KPetersonUFC) August 12, 2021
In case anyone forgot, Henry Cejudo’s wrestling is LEGIT!
Technique of the week: countering wrist grabs and elbow grabs. @fanatic_wrestling pic.twitter.com/aPIojXNN5S
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) August 12, 2021
Slips, rips, and KO clips
A quick highlight reel of Saenchai being too damn good!
It is confirmed: hair pulling is more effective than rubber guard.
— Baseball Fight Club (@mlb_fights) August 12, 2021
A lightning fast lead leg high kick produces a pair of knockouts:
Random Land
Komodo dragons clearly do Greco.
Midnight Music: Last night’s Funkadelic listen has me on a George Clinton kick.
Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.